13 November 2003 Edition

Growing confidence in Lagan Valley

Sinn Féin candidate in the forthcoming Assembly elections Paul Butler said
he has been receiving positive responses from voters in the Lagan Valley
constituency in the run up to the 26 November elections.

"We will definitely increase the Sinn Féin vote and are growing in
confidence with every canvass we undertake," he enthused. "The Sinn Féin man
pointed out that in the last elections, up to 20,000 of the total electorate
did not vote. "From that point of view, I am calling on nationalist voters
to come out to vote, to make sure their vote counts and return a Sinn Fein
representative," he said.

Butler told An Phoblacht that the unionist Assembly members will not
represent nationalists. "Just look at the record of Jeffrey Donaldson in
representing nationalists. That's why it's important for nationalist to come
out and vote for Sinn Féin in Lagan Valley. We have already challenged the
sectarianism and exclusion that exists towards nationalists in Lisburn City
Council and we are not afraid to stick our heads above the parapet and
challenge the inequalities which still exist."

Sinn Féin's Jim Gibney, who is on the election trail along with Butler, told
An Phoblacht that the party is not taking any vote for granted, as a tough
battle lies ahead.

"It is a difficult constituency to canvas as the nationalist electorate is
scattered throughout what is a mainly rural constituency," he said. "But
every door that can be knocked will be knocked, because these canvasses are
very focused and widespread. Paul has represented the people of Lagan Valley
and that is why these people will vote for him. He has never reneged on any
promise he has made to the electorate."

Gibney said Sinn Féin voters are steadily growing in confidence because they
have every confidence in Paul Butler increasing the party's vote in Lagan
Valley.

"In the last Assembly elections, Sinn Féin increased the vote by 70% and in
the 2001 council elections Sinn Féin had 16% of the overall first preference
votes in Lagan Valley.

"The reality is that nationalist voters are realising in bigger numbers than
before that Sinn Féin is the only party to give real leadership in
confronting the old unionism and the old unionist attitudes. That is clearly
to be seen in our campaign against Lisburn Council's decision to exclude
everyone but unionists from the main positions within the council.

"Sinn Féin will make history in the election", promised Gibney. "The people
know it and are supporting us."